Darton Academy
Barnsley, S75 5EF · Barnsley · secondary school
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2nd of 11 secondary schools in Barnsley we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.8/10 against 910 of them, against 8.1/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 66.1 · 88 | 30% | 2.63 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.37 · 77 | 25% | 1.93 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.7 · 73 | 10% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Darton Academy overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. In 2024/25, 65.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.37 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Art and Reading clubs, play Football, Netball, or Athletics, and visit Outward Bound or Alton Towers. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,099 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to maintain the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Darton Academy
Overview
Darton Academy provides a high-quality education where pupils achieve well in external examinations and benefit from a broad curriculum. The school is particularly praised for its “Outstanding” personal development, offering rich extra-curricular opportunities that enhance pupils’ wider growth. Leaders maintain high standards of behaviour and attendance, ensuring a calm and organised learning environment for all students.
Strengths
- Pupils access a “broad range of extra-curricular educational opportunities” that “enhance their wider development extremely well,” including initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
- The curriculum is “well-sequenced” and “high-quality,” with teachers using consistent routines and clear explanations to build on prior knowledge effectively.
- Personal development is a central focus, with a “well-designed” personal, social and health education curriculum that responds to local issues and pupil needs.
- Leaders provide “highly effective careers advice and guidance,” ensuring pupils are well prepared for future education, training, or employment.
- Reading is a key priority, supported by initiatives such as “reading routes” and “book worms” to develop pupils’ love of literature.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should embed improved communication methods to ensure all stakeholders, including a minority of parents who “do not feel well heard,” are aligned in their support.
- Leaders should continue to promote reporting methods for bullying, as a minority of incidents go unreported or are not resolved as quickly as they could be.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with knowledgeable staff who report concerns timely and work effectively with external agencies to support pupils.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.9 |
| 2024/25 | 52.1 |
| 2025/26 | 50.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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